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Our Story

 

How it all started

I guess you can say that their journey began about 17 years ago at Thomas Jefferson High School where they both attended.  Although they never dated during that time, barely spoke nor were they formally introduced to each other, there must have been some type of spark in the universe that led them back to each other. Michael graduated a year ahead of Louanne, and went away to college on an athletic scholarship. Neither of them was so much as a thought in each other’s mind. It wasn’t until years later, after Michael returned home from college that they crossed each other’s path once more as Louanne was leaving a friend’s house on a hot summer day. They made eye contact, said a brief hello and parted ways yet again. One day a mutual friend reached out to Louanne telling her that Michael had asked for her number and wanted to know if it was ok to give it to him. At first Louanne was skeptical, but her friend assured her that Michael was a “good guy” and that his intentions were good. Taking her friend’s word for it, Louanne agreed to share her number. Michael called her the next day, they talked on the phone for hours and what started off as casual conversations eventually led to much more than just a friendship. They developed a love that people could see from a mile away. Everywhere they went they were admired and complemented on the love they had for each other. Although they had their moments of uncertainty, and though the road was long and bumpy at times, something kept bringing them back to each other.

From now and forever, we hope that LOVE would always the glue that bonds them together.

The Proposal

Michael knew it wouldn’t be easy to surprise Louanne with a proposal. She is inquisitive to say the least and just down right nosy. As usual, Michael planned a wonderful vacation to celebrate her birthday. Louanne wanted to go to India and he was going to make it happen. He planned a 5-day vacation to India with a full day in Milan, Italy on the way there, and a night in Dubai on the way back. The trip went as planned, a full day in Milan taking in the sights and culture of Italy. Next stop was India, starting off in Mumbai. They spent they day sightseeing and shopping. When they got back to the hotel room, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a cake. Michael had arranged with concierge to have it prepared for when they got back to the room. The next day they got up early and boarded a flight to New Delhi, where they would continue on to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. It was Louanne’s birthday and Michael made sure it was perfect, and it was just that. A full day, learning about the love story behind the making of the Taj Mahal. They returned to Mumbai for their last day in India, doing more shopping, more sightseeing and taking in the culture of India before getting ready to board a flight back to New York; but not before stopping in Dubai. They arrived to Dubai at night, changed and hired a private taxi to take them to dinner and around the city. Louanne questioned this since this was their second time in Dubai and they had already seen most of the main attraction (Inquisitive). Michael told her that he just wanted to tour the city again and to attempt to go to the Atlantis hotel on Palm Island. They drove around the city, had dinner and then made their way to Palm Island. When they got to the hotel, Michael walked up to the front to snap a few photos and proceeded to the entrance. Louanne questioned why he was headed that way, knowing that they did not have reservations at the hotel. Michael told her to wait where she was and he would ask the people at concierge if they could take a brief tour. Louanne refused to stay where she was and wanted to follow him to ask if they could take a tour (Nosy). The concierge said it was ok for them to go inside. They went in, took pictures in the main lobby and Michael took Louanne by the hand and started walking around. Louanne questioned this again, knowing that they did not have reservations at the hotel. Michael assured her that it was ok. They eventually got to the point of the infamous Royal Chair a staple for the Atlantis hotel. They took turns taking pictures of each other on and around the chair until Michael asked a random worker if he could take a few photos of them. The worker agreed and took several photos of Michael and Louanne. Just as Louanne was going to take the camera from the guy and thank him for taking the photos, Michael told her to hold on and asked the worker if he could take one more photo. Michael pulled out his wallet and started looking through it for what Louanne thought was a tip to give to the worker for taking several pictures of them. Michael shuffled with the wallet, seeming somewhat nervous. Louanne asked him what he was doing (Nosy) when she noticed him pulling out a small pouch and began making his way down on his knee. At that point, Louanne realized what was happening and started crying hysterically. She could barely hear him say “Babes, would you please marry me”, and she could only nod yes. He was able to surprise her, despite all the questions along the way.

This was just the beginning of the journey into the next chapter of their lives.

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